Draconic Prophecies

DDC – Draconic Prophecies 9

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It’s all getting a bit epic and legendary in the Sunday game – with archetypal titles being bestowed and dragons arriving to overshadow the events. Everyone’s having great fun, even if they’re occasionally having to stop to pick their jaws up off the ground.

The Doom of Kelliklik approaches as the Heir decides his fate. A nod and bow and the Redeemed shall not fly alone. The Watcher’s Dream of Dragons shall be met with fire and teeth and claw.

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 200 verse 1-3

The battle of Flower Town resulted in Thorin stating his claim to the throne and willingness to fight for his people, and Caeluma persuading the dragon Kelliklik to fight and fly alongside him. The Watcher’s Dream of Dragons remains to be revealed, but so far, each mention of a Watcher’s dream has alluded to the Beholder’s nightmares retaining form and flesh upon his awakening

In defiance of Winter’s Madness the sundered clan will fight. Unity and compromise found where death and hatred bloomed. What new dawn comes after the fight? Rebirth.

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 200 verse2 4-6

The greatest portion of the two halves of Clan Amberhammer have agreed to work together, brought in by the DDC. How will it all end up? Well it ended with a grand route of the duergar and the daelkyr-aligned forces, and a ritual to cleanse the lands of lycanthropy. There were even some trade deals done with House Sivis for their aid.

The Heir. The Redeemed. The Scribe. All these roles now revealed. Two more ascend. The Quiet, and The Hunter step up and join their gaze to witness Fate.

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 201 verses 1-6

Everyone in the DDC is being referred to with Archetypal labels. So far we have Thorin as the Heir. Caeluma is the Redeemed. Kerne is the Scribe. During the final battle for the Hold, Arwan was hailed as the Hunter as he struck down foe after foe in swift succession. Valenia took the title of The Quiet both for her stealth, and for an interpretation of ‘Quiet’ meaning ‘Death’ as she struck the final blow on the beholder.

DDC – Draconic Prophecies 8

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More cryptic musings from the minds of the dragons of Eberron – and hints of themes and events on the horizon. As ever, as we get to things these could be about I’ll update this entry with what happened in game.

The Axe of the Stone breakers shall smite the plans of Winter – though who can tell where long steps lead? Sweet victory and sorrow, though none can tell the balance while hags plot and plans bubble.

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 142, verses 7-8

A reference to this arc’s end game, and the stakes and decisions to be weighed. The reunited Amberhammer clan fought through and defeated the Daelkyr plan to release the powers of the Winter’s Knight across the centre of Khorvaire. The long steps referred to the portal that was opening and linking to the far-off lands of ice, but also references the earlier plot to create and distribute a drug that would make addicts more susceptible to the powers of the fey. Victory didn’t come without loss – in particular the Doom of Killiklik as their stone body fell through the portal. Meanwhile Faye Hagsworn’s work with Kerne brought about a cure for lycanthropy, but leaves the wider plans of the hags unresolved.

If the moons’ dark passing sees not the path to EverIce, then Xoriat’s grip fails and Khyber’s coils shift in humiliation

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 105, verse 10

The conjunction saw the portal broken and the driving off or slaying of the forces aligned with that of the Daelkyr. Those duergar who fled into the mines to return below would have taken news of a major defeat to the cults of the Dragon Below.

Words scribbled may gain response, but who are the writers and who the readers? Joy unbridled or fear regained may all hinge on a single lie

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 901, verses 2-3

This refers to the correspondance between Kerne and their sister Faye as they worked to produce an alchemical cure for the lycanthropic curse afflicting the dwarves as well as some of the DDC. Hard risks had to be taken with untested potions and a confused Valenia took the first dose, perhaps unaware of just how untried it actually was.

DDC – Draconic Prophecies 7

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Here we go with this week’s set of cryptic musings for players and watchers alike to consider. Enjoy!

Now pauses the fight when wings beat. Prophecy’s test must soon be heard. Kelliklik’s Doom may be defeat, or proof of destiny’s loose skein.

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 401, verses 5-7

Well that doesn’t sound at all ominous does it? We finally met Kelliklik and his Dragon Blessed servant Sigrund when they sought out the DDC at Flower Town. The group had just secured the alliance of the town to help retake the Hold and had settled for the night when the dragon announced himself with a great burst of flame over the marketplace. A challenge was issued to Thorin and the group and a close-fought fight with the young dragon was ended by proclamation by Sigrund and the casting of a powerful Mass Cure.

The group had proved themselves equal to the task ahead, and Kelliklik would now go to face his Doom. A twist however came in Caeluma persuading the dragon to instead join them in the assault. Kelliklik asked Thorin if he had made his Choice and nodded in response to the answer before agreeing. Whether this is a twist in fate’s loom that changes the Doom, or indeed defines the Doom remains to be revealed.

Choices run the fate of Khorvaire, good and bad the coin’s edge only. What counts in the moment is fair, but argent questers are stony.

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 101, verses 1-2

Given where we ended up last week, there are certainly some decisions to be made and a whole host of people starting to notice. The group has made up its mind to fight and are now aware of the stakes they are fighting for. The threat posed by inquisitors of the Silver Flame, for now, remains distant.

Dragon’s breath or the Silver Flame? Both believe their truths and thunder. Their wings and capes spread wide, the game may wither chance life asunder.

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 307, verses 6-9

There’s nothing particularly weird and wonderful here – let’s see how things turn out in the battle of dogmas, beliefs, prophecies, and pronouncements.

DDC – Draconic Prophecies 6

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And here we go with the latest batch of cryptic meanderings hinting at things to come and themes being explored in the D&D extravaganza. It’s all getting a bit epic in scope, and the players are more invested than ever in the outcomes. So, without further ado…

In Argent’s glare all doubt dispelled, chase hunters armed with cruel blade. Their ancient foes reborn as jest must answer calls by both Heirs made

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 700, verses 1-2

This refers to the agents of the Silver Flame, who have amassed a force near the border by Cragwar, only a day or two’s march away. The ancient foes reference is talking about the werewolves unwillingly created by Karkanna at the behest of the mind flayers.

The Silver Flame are renowned for having destroyed all were-creatures in a pogrom several hundred years ago. Now, Thorin and Karkanna are weighing up how to call on their divided Clan to regain their lands and drive off the forces of madness without inviting mass destruction at the hand of the religious zealots of the Silver Flame.

When fates’ skein tangles in noble birth, siblings’ anger is written loud. Two tribes from one, or both combined. Which pathways old must be re-trod

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 417, verses 5-7

This is referencing both Thorin and Karkanna Amberhammer, the heirs split by the events of the Last War and more recently the invasion of their ancestral home by the Cult of the Triumphant Dead, a splinter cult of the Dragon Below. The siblings finally met last week in the ruins of a shrine to Onnatar (the god of smiths) and heated words were exchanged rather than blows.

Eventually a plan to retake their Hold began to take form – but it depends on gathering together the scattered refugees from the Hold under Thorin and allying them with the werewolf kindred spawned by Karkanna when she was forced to betray everyone. The niceties of this plan remain to be determined

The Testing now must be begun: scarlet questions posed from above. In answers sanguine, truth be spun, and legends rise to speak for love

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 202, verses 8-9

This came to fruition in the arrival of Kelliklik at Flower Town. The young red dragon is bound to a Doom under the Prophecies to ensure certain things happen, and he challenged the group while flying above them. Blood was shed on both side as they stated their beliefs and argued with both words and battle. The group is beginning to take on the status of legends, and in all things in this fight they are motivated by love of family, friends, and life.

DDC – Draconic Prophecies 5

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Just ahead of tonight’s game, here’s some more cryptic mutterings from the dragons of Eberron:

Not all who watch, command. Nor do all those who are quiet, obey. When the Dragons Below strive for the skies, then all is reversed in the end.

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 812, verses 1-3

A general comment on the relationship between Mind Flayers and Beholders in Eberron. In other worlds it might be expected that there be a more antagonistic relationship or that the Beholder would be in charge, but as creatures of Xoriat (the realm of madness), the mind flayers are in the ascendant and use beholders as living weapons platforms.

If the Heir calls, the tribe will answer. If the Heir falls, then Winter’s reign starts. The threads of fate weave loose until they meet the loom

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 903, verses 18-end

In general terms this is a reminder that others of the Clan Amber-Hammer still live and could be called upon to help. In addition nothing is written in stone and although I as the GM have a broad idea of how it will all play out, the actual details and outcome rely entirely on the players and their characters.

With flashing eyes and fanged mouth, comes the Doom of the stone-breakers. With hateful dreams are watchful nightmares born, to blight the lands above

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 490, verses 3-4

This absolutely refers to the Beholder revealed to be the powerhouse of the coup at Clan Amberhammer. With the many spell-like effects it can create from its eyes and the massive fanged maw that dominates its face beneath the huge central eye, this creature is a killing machine under the control of the mind flayers. The other eye-themed creatures encountered to date have all manifested from its dreams as its very presence destabilises the already thinning reality at the Hold as a Xoriat Manifest zone begins to coalesce.

DDC – Draconic Prophecies 4

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Here we are again, with another few cryptic odds and ends for what’s upcoming and has been ongoing in the current campaign – plus notes when the events highlighted have come to pass. I go back to these passages to update the blog posts when that happens – and there will certainly be a run on these as the current arc completes. I’m also going to post up some of the encounter maps we’ve used for free use by people should they want them.

Blood dreams chased are ended in screams, and barred doors found to be open. All the capering demons fall under the watchful eye’s watch.

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 1026, chapter 11, verses 12-13

This is pretty much where the last couple of sessions have been – the blood dream refers to the Deathkiss in the garden which is the remnant of a beholder’s nightmares of blood loss, and which acted as the guard dog in the garden before the gates. The Hold gates which might have appeared to be barred were in fact not secured at all, so that Thorin could open them and bring his allies in with him. The capering demons refers to the horde of dolgrims and their dolgaunt leaders who thronged the main courtyard in defence of the Hold. The watchful eye is an unearthly appearing 20-foot-wide eye in the centre of the courtyard that projects an anti-magic ray at the entrance. Its presence forced some big tactic changes for the group.

When the heir to Amber proclaims his oath, the new dawn shall rise beneath the halls. Winter’s breath abated for now as the moons drift on their paths.

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 671, chapter 5, verses 1-2

A fairly straightforward call out to the endgame outcomes here. More detail as we get there.

A point of decision splits the path: to save or to slay. Two paths to one throne; but with regret comes truth to all. One who has fallen may yet rescue the one who climbs.

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 800, chapter 1, verses 1-3

More than a little foreshadowing here on the themes of the story and the resolution of Thorin and Karkanna’s relationship.

DDC – Draconic Prophecies 3

Tim MaidmentLeave a comment

Well, here we go again with more cryptic whimsy. These are, if you’re just joining us, snippets of in-game prophecies and insights into the backstory and main strands of the Sunday D&D group. When all or part of what they allude to have come to pass or have been discovered, I then update the posts to elaborate on what’s been written.

And so for the next batch

Dragons above and dragons below refuse Prophecies’ draw and are yet suborned. The Lords of Dust eye the Winter’s Knight, and ready puissant arguments in stone

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 392, chapter 3, verses 21-22

Dreams of the Watcher guard doors and a vault, while delvers gather to worship the fault. A cult now is born. Graves yawn Winter’s cold. Mad eyes and fae mourn fates wrapped tight and sold.

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 371, chapter 2, verses 6-9

Its all coming to a head, it’s safe to say – I can’t wait to see what happens next.

DDC – Draconic Prophecies 2

Tim MaidmentLeave a comment

Running a little late in the week, but just squeezing in before the next session, here’s the latest batch of cryptic prophecies for the game, giving story and lore clues in no particular order.

Winter’s howl stuns the Autumn’s son; and witch’s cackle rings aloud. Doorways open, the Fay have come, timed to see a dragon’s head bowed.

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 1072, chapter 4, verses 1-2

The transformed kith and prisoners kin are captive each in their own way. A reluctant leader jumps in, and chooses joy or new dismay.

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 371, chapter 3, verses 3-4

This is a fairly simple one, referring to the members of Clan Amberhammer who have been transformed into werewolves by Karkanna Amberhammer and to those members of the Clan who are as yet merely prisoners. Thorin Amberhammer is very reluctantly stepping up to confront the horrors being revealed, and fears that he may have to end the lives of some of his relatives to spare many more.

From where did war forged souls emerge? House Cannith claims to never know. Yet the Lord of Blades sings his dirge, claiming new lights from Dolhurr’s snow.

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 973, chapter 5, verses 7-9

DDC – Draconic Prophecies 1

Tim MaidmentLeave a comment

So, each week now I shall be putting up some more “Draconic Prophecies” relating to the DDC campaign as extra material and an excuse to do some writing in a different set of styles. I’ve read these to the players at various points as stingers to promote a wider sense of story direction while still claiming I don’t know what the campaign is building towards (not that they believe that in any way). From here on out there are no explanations of the passages until after they have come to pass.

The Dreamer’s spawn hunger and cast jealous eyes in darkened halls. Too vile to fade on waking, the living nightmares serve the Watcher

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 371, chapter 2, verses 1-2

While the Watcher and the Dreamer have yet to be identified, there is a definite theme now of globular half-real aberrations with multiple eyes accompanying the forces arrayed against the DDC. The only thing positively identified so far is a Gazer – more of a nuisance than anything else to the adventurers at this point, but they are currently fighting something a bit tougher armed with teeth-lined tentacles.

Delvers down meet Delvers up, before delving in to start delving out. Old war becomes new as the Triumphant Dead find their own purpose. The cleansing of corrupt halls provides a fresh pond for ducks

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 371, chapter 2, verses 10-12

We finally had some clarity on some of this: The Delvers down are the dwarves of Clan Amberhammer as they mine. The Delvers up are duergar dwarves ascending from the Underdark and breaching the mines. The captured and hostaged Amberhammer dwarves have been pressed into service by the Duergar and Mindflayers to build a portal that presumably will link with somewhere…else…

The reference to the Triumphant Dead, for now, remains obscure. The cleansing of the halls refers to the group driving off the invaders and possibly ending up with somewhere new to use as a base of operations in addition to their home in Windhaven.

When clouds gather and hide the moons, the rains of Amber will then fall. The dragon’s eyes will see the looms; and angel’s wings answer the call

The Draconic Prophecies – Scale 392, chapter 3, verses 68-end